City wants Petty to come around here again

Cindy Taylor , Staff Writer

For more than 25 years, I've been listening to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Tuesday's concert at the Mid-America Center proves you're never too old to "rock and roll."

Opener Mavis Staples started the night off with her bluesy vocals for an hour ... then came the main draw. From the moment he hit the stage with "American Girl" Petty had everyone on their feet and rockin' for more than two hours.

At 52, Petty still sounds (and looks) like he did back in the 80s when us baby boomers were listening to him. He kept the crowd alive and everyone sang along to "Free Fallin'," "I Won't Back Down" and dozens more. I was amazed that even the teenagers in the audience knew all the words. Petty appeared relaxed and out to have a good time. Although at times, it was difficult to hear him (because of the excessive screaming of the crowd.) The closing song "You Wreck Me" had us all wanting more!

Petty's well-chosen mix energizes crowd in C.R. Concert review

CEDAR RAPIDS -- If any rockers-in-training attended Tom Petty's concert at the U.S. Cellular Center on Monday night, Petty gave them a show they ought to pore over the way linguists study the Rosetta Stone.

Tom Petty turned in a high-energy performance with goodwill to spare Monday night at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids.

In a whirlwind set of classics, brand-new songs and well-chosen covers, Petty offered a textbook arena rock show, dazzling the crowd with a high-energy performance, simple yet effective visuals and goodwill to spare.

He started with a blazing take of "American Girl," one of his first hits. It made the cavernous arena feel like a living room, the crowd of 5,000 joining as one to sing along. It felt more like a rousing closer than an opening, and Petty maintained that energy level for much of the rest of the show.

You'd never know Petty was 52 by the way he moved. In black leather pants and a red velvet jacket, he stalked across the stage like a young lion, shaking his hips from time to time to elicit a roar from the crowd.

The Heartbreakers, who include lifers Mike Campbell on guitar and Benmont Tench on keyboards, were tight and effective. Original bassist Ron Blair, who took over for the late Howie Epstein, seemed at home in his old spot, while drummer Steve Ferrone and multi-instrumentalist Scott Thurston were solid.

"The Last DJ," the only song from Petty's otherwise tepid recent album of the same name, didn't have the same punch as the old tunes. The need for reform in the radio industry doesn't get the party started the way an empowerment anthem like "I Won't Back Down" can.
Things picked up immediately with a rousing "Handle With Care," a George Harrison song from Petty's Traveling Wilburys days.

Petty continued to mix things up. "Melinda," a new folksy tune that seemed more a worthy excuse to let Tench and Campbell jam than a song, and "Learning to Fly," with Petty alone on acoustic guitar, were highlights.

He closed the main set with the Animals' chestnut "I'm Crying" and his own "Refugee" and "Running Down a Dream." The quick encore including Chuck Berry's "Carol," and Petty's own "You Wreck Me" closed the show.

The only complaint was with the show's length. For $55, you'd think Petty could play for more than two hours, and he didn't quite reach that.

Opener Mavis Staples may have seemed an odd choice, but her infectious energy and powerful vocals won over a crowd that initially seemed disinterested. With a mix of gospel and blues that included "The Weight" and "Respect Yourself," she powered through a short set that revved up the audience in a way that fully explained why Petty had her on the bill.